By Carlos Mejia, Council of Twelve Apostles

If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

During a leadership development event in , we had a very strong Pentecost experience that touched our hearts; we could see hope.

One of our sisters who suffers from cancer has a friend who has accompanied and supported her in the process of her treatment; sometimes she has accompanied her to attend the congregation. The sister who has cancer invited her to attend the leadership development event that we were having over the weekend, but she very cautiously told her that she did not know if we would accept her because she is not a member of the church. She spoke with the pastor, and he came to me to ask if she could participate. I told her yes, she would be welcome.

From the moment she arrived, she told me how grateful and how happy she was to be accepted among us. She participated in discussions with interesting questions and comments and was interacting with everyone during recess times.

At the end of the event, several people asked us to offer the sacrament of laying on of hands for the sick. Other sisters wanted prayer, so several ministers stayed. This sister was with us all that time while we offered the sacrament, but the most spiritual moment was at the end. Crying, she told me, “I want to open my heart to Christ and give my life to Him. I want to change; I want to be someone else. I have been touched by the Holy Spirit throughout this weekend. I have seen the love, the hospitality, the respect, the value of each one; everyone has made me feel like I have known them all my life. The topics that have been discussed have opened my mind and I want to belong to Community of Christ, I have found a safe place of people who reflect the love of Christ. I have never felt the joy I am experiencing.”

I invited her to offer in her own words a prayer that would express to God what her heart had desired. She prayed with tears and thanks. She gave her heart to Christ; she felt forgiven, filled with full joy. We all had a wonderful experience, and we were all joyful because of what the Spirit was doing.

Who is welcome in your congregation? How is the Spirit filling your lives with joy?

Prayer Phrase

“a new community…is being born” (Doctrine and Covenants 164:5).

Spiritual Community

Meditate on a time when you experienced true belonging—a moment when someone welcomed you, listened to you, encouraged you, or reminded you that you were not walking the journey of faith alone. Prayerfully consider the qualities that help build a Christ-centered community: hospitality, compassion, forgiveness, patience, courage, joy, and a willingness to walk alongside one another. Offer a prayer of gratitude for the communities that have shaped you and a prayer of commitment to help create spaces where all people can experience the love, peace, and presence of Christ.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.